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Graduation party

By Jeff Terrill

Fort Wayne Reader

2018-05-31

Jane wishes she could throw a party that none of her friends will ever forget.

Mike and Tina are so proud of their daughter, Jane. She graduates from high school tonight. Mike and Tina are helping her celebrate by hosting a party for Jane and her friends. Jane’s older brother, Mike Jr., plans to attend the party as well. Jane is 18. Mike Jr. is 21. Some of his friends are under 21. None of these people are real.

Jane’s folks have a great party home. Since he is 21, Mike Jr. agrees to keep an eye on all the guests and make sure that the high school kids aren’t drinking. Mike Jr. also plans to buy a couple of kegs of beer. Jane’s parents make it very clear to Jane and Mike Jr. that they do not want any underage drinking or drug use to occur.

Mike and a few of his friends devise a plan to put a red X on the right hand of everyone who is 21 or older. This way, the person serving the beer will know who is old enough to drink. They also plan to collect all of the car keys from all drivers.

Mike and Tina greet the guests. Before long, close to a hundred kids are in their back yard. Many of the high school guests put red X’s on their right hands as they stand in line by the kegs.In a couple of hours, one of the intoxicated graduating high school guests with a red X on his hand will get into an argument with his girlfriend. He will drive his car away from Jane’s home at a speed much faster than the speed he used to get there. He won’t be paying close attention to the road either. His car will leave the roadway, flip and strike several trees. He will die later the following day.

The medics and police will arrive at the accident scene. A few more officers will head to Mike and Tina’s home.A couple of days later, Mike and Tina will be charged with Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, a Level 6 felony punishable up to 2.5 years in jail. In Indiana, a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally provides alcohol to a minor and whose ingestion of such alcohol leads to the death or serious injury of any person commits the offense.

The state will charge Mike Jr. with Level 5 Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, which is punishable up to 6 years in prison. In Indiana, a person commits the offense when he is at least 21 years of age and knowingly provides alcohol or drugs to a minor and whose ingestion of the alcohol or drug is the proximate cause of the death of any person.

In a few weeks, the parents of the deceased high schooler will file a civil suit against Mike, Tina and Mike Jr..

Jane’s wish is granted. No one will ever be able to forget about her party.

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Jeff Terrill is a partner/shareholder with the law firm of Arnold Terrill Anzini, P.C. Mr. Terrill represents clients accused of crimes throughout northeast Indiana. You can contact Mr. Terrill with any questions or comments at his office at 260.420.7777 or via email at jterrill@fortwaynedefense.com. Learn more about his firm at www.fortwaynedefense.com. This article expressed opinions and observations of the author, is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the author and the reader. Please consult a qualified attorney with any legal questions or issues you might have. Thank you.